The working visit of the European Patent Office (EPO) delegation, led by Raimund Lutz, Vice President of the EPO, took place on 16 November at the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI).

The visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation relations with the European Patent Office and approving the Action Plan on Bilateral Cooperation between EPO and AGEPI for 2019.

The agenda of the EPO representative’s working visit included meetings with AGEPI Director General Lilia Bolocan as well as with specialists from the Departments of the State Agency on Intellectual Property.

During the meeting, the stage of bilateral collaboration between AGEPI and EPO was discussed. The parties also discussed about the implementation of the European patent validation system in the Republic of Moldova. Also, the priority directions of bilateral cooperation between offices for the next period were identified, with a view to developing the national system of protection of inventions and adjusting to European standards in the field.

During the discussions, Lilia Bolocan appreciated the support provided by the EPO for the participation of AGEPI experts over the last years in the professional training programs in the field of patent administration and examination organized by the EPO Academy as well as the assistance provided for the conduct of other events within AGEPI.

The meeting was completed with the signing of the Action Plan on Bilateral Cooperation between EPO and AGEPI for 2019.